Summary:
The four public schools in Belleview, Florida, part of the Marion County district, serve nearly 4,850 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, but their performance varies dramatically, with one school achieving standout success while others face significant challenges.
Belleview Middle School is the clear leader, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 57th percentile statewide—a remarkable feat given the district’s low 10th percentile ranking. Its advanced math programs are exceptional, with 84% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 96% in Geometry, far exceeding state averages. In contrast, Belleview-Santos Elementary School is the lowest-performing school, receiving a 0-star rating and ranking in the 3rd percentile, with test scores consistently 10-20 points below Belleview Elementary School, despite both serving similar populations with high economic disadvantage and similar spending per student. Belleview High School shows mixed results: it excels in US History (71% proficient) and Biology (66%), but struggles in Algebra 1 (30% proficient), though its graduation rate of 86.9% exceeds the district average and its state ranking has been improving.
A key takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes—the two elementary schools receive the most funding per student ($11,217 and $12,075) yet perform the worst, while the top-performing middle school receives the least ($8,718). Chronic absenteeism is a city-wide crisis, with all schools exceeding the state average of 31.4%, particularly at Belleview-Santos Elementary (37.3%) and Belleview Middle School (36.0%). This suggests that while Belleview Middle School’s present students achieve at high levels, a significant portion of its student body is being left behind, and the elementary schools face deeper challenges related to attendance and instructional quality rather than funding alone.
Thank you for your feedback!